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Mbalula promises to tackle drugs and corruption

Article By: Staff Reporter

Wed, 24 Jan 2018 11:27 AM

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Police Minister Fikile Mbalula says that he will clamp down on drugs and crime as well as deal with police corruption in the Krugersdorp and Kagiso area.

He met with residents on Tuesday following days of violent protests where several houses believed to be drug dens were torched and shops looted.

Mbalula says that it is difficult for any society to survive when corrupt officials who are meant to protect are involved in criminal activities themselves.

"People are complaining about the police I lead. I've put on my shoes and my nice suit, I'm here... to know what the problem is as it's me that has to fix the police."

He says that as much as foreign nationals are welcome in South Africa, those engaged in criminal activities will be dealt with.

"I must chase those criminals, whether they're coming from Nigeria or wherever they come from, I must fix them."

Mbalula has assured residents that he will be working hard to put measures in place so the necessary action can be taken.

This follows Mbalula’s announcement that the SANDF and SAPS would commence Operation Fiela two in Johannesburg on Tuesday to begin uprooting drug dealers and other criminals in the city.

Despite an absence of substantial results thus far, Mbalula’s approach has been one of zero tolerance towards criminals and criminal organisations. In the Western Cape, in 2017, the police were readily criticised in gang-ridden areas for becoming disenchanted with efforts to decrease instances of gang-related crime.

Mbalula has since reminded the SAPS that any officer found collaborating with criminals or turning a blind-eye to any crime would be severely dealt with.

Short of citing any fire or fury, Mbalula’s so-called ‘war on crime’ has seen efforts to render the country’s international transport hubs more secure, yielding most of the results since the beginning of his tenure around the OR Tambo international airport district.

The residents of Krugersdorp and Kagiso have called out, like many of their compatriots across the crime-laden areas of South Africa, to the Minister in order to receive aid where they believe the local authorities have become redundant and inefficient.